põhidiagnoosi

Põhidiagnoos, meaning primary diagnosis in English, refers to the main illness or condition identified by a healthcare professional that is the reason for a patient's admission or visit. It is the most significant health issue that requires immediate attention or treatment. This diagnosis guides the course of treatment and dictates the resources allocated for patient care.

In medical contexts, the põhidiagnoos is distinct from secondary diagnoses, which are co-existing conditions that may affect the patient's health or treatment but are not the primary reason for the medical encounter. For example, a patient admitted for pneumonia might have a secondary diagnosis of diabetes, but pneumonia would be considered the põhidiagnoos.

The determination of the põhidiagnoos involves a comprehensive assessment, including medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. Accurate identification is crucial for effective management, proper coding for billing and statistical purposes, and for communicating the patient's health status to other healthcare providers. Changes to the põhidiagnoos can occur as more information becomes available during the course of treatment.